The man, a resident of Norfolk, Virginia, was stopped by TSA officers at the checkpoint with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. It was loaded with 15 bullets.

TSA officers detected the gun and ammunition as the man was entering the airport checkpoint. The TSA officer who was staffing the checkpoint X-ray machine detected the firearm as it passed along the conveyor belt inside the man’s bag. TSA officers immediately contacted the Norfolk Airport Authority Police, which responded to the checkpoint. The man was ticketed to fly to Dallas.

There is a right way to travel with a firearm and a wrong way. The wrong way is to bring it to a checkpoint. Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded and packed in a locked, hard-sided case. Then the firearm must be taken to the airline check-in counter.

TSA’s website has details on how to properly travel with a firearm. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition so travelers should contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.

TSA screens approximately 2 million passengers and their luggage every day for prohibited items, including weapons and explosives. To do this, TSA uses imaging technology to safely screen passengers for any items which may be concealed under clothing, while X-ray units screen all carry-on baggage.

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